Comedy Central Appoints Pair of New Executives

Michael Tenzer and Melissa Bear will join channel’s business and legal affairs department.

Comedy Central has named a pair of senior vice presidents in its business and legal affairs department, with Melissa Bear handling the East Coast and Michael Tenzer covering the West Coast, the company announced Wednesday.

"We’re extremely fortunate to have Melissa and Michael on our team,” George Cheeks, MTV Networks executive VP and co-general counsel, business and legal affairs, said in a statement. “They are tough negotiators, accomplished business strategists and have great relationships with the agents and lawyers we negotiate with every day. Comedy Central’s interests will be well represented.”

Bear comes to the channel from TVLand, where she had been vice president, business and legal affairs, overseeing contract negotiations for all original programming, acquired programming and new business ventures. She also worked in the business and legal affairs departments at VH1 and VH1Classic.

Tenzer joins Comedy Central after serving as senior VP and head of television businesses affairs at International Creative Management. He also was senior vice president, business affairs and administration, at NBC and held VP of business affairs at Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, NBC and Dick Clark Productions.

Comments